Kids staying at The Ritz-Carlton will go bird-watching in Aspen, play games to learn about fish in San Juan, build model rivers out of clay in Orlando, and explore the culture of Abu Dhabi.

The Ritz-Carlton has teamed with renowned explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau to create a "Ritz Kids" curriculum for children ages 4 through 12 at each of its 85 properties around the world. Costeau's Ocean Futures Society has developed the program based on four themes: water; land; environmental responsibility; and culture.

Parents are increasingly taking their children's preferences into consideration when making vacation plans. Hotels have responded by introducing new programs, menus and amenities to entertain and educate their youngest guests — and ultimately, appeal to their parents.

"Offering a quality children's program can be a key differentiator for families when selecting a destination hotel for vacation," says Maryam Wehe, senior vice president at Applied Predictive Technologies, a hotel software and consulting firm. "For these occasions, a successful children's program provides adults the right mix of guilt-free time alone, vs. time with children."

According to a Holiday Inn Resort brand survey of 1,500 parents and children in September, almost nine in 10 parents say their kids' preferences influence their choices of vacation destination.

Each of the Holiday Inn Resort brand's properties has a kids-eat-free program and a kids club with special activities tied to the local community.

Hyatt has a Camp Hyatt program for children ages 3 to 12 to explore the culture, history and environment of the communities surrounding each property. This year, Hyatt also added new items to its "For Kids by Kids" menu, which includes low-calorie, low-fat foods approved by young taste-testers.

At some hotels, the kids' activities are more social. Many of Wyndham's resorts have craft rooms, afternoon movies on lawns and ice cream socials.

On Fridays and Saturdays, children take over the living room of Kimpton's Hotel Monaco in Alexandria, Va., for a Kids' Hour with games such as Wii, Trivial Pursuit and coloring books, plus fruit snacks, juice and freshly popped popcorn.

Wehe says activities that have an educational component are particularly appealing to parents.

"Activities which not only entertain children, but also provide an element of education differentiate hotel programs for children," she says.

Cousteau, who is a father and grandfather, says too many hotels offer activities that are designed to occupy kids so that the adults can go off and have fun.

"I think we can do more than that," he says. "It's a very, very exciting opportunity to reach out to what I call the future decision-makers, the young people who are like sponges. They absorb information. It's going to be in there forever."

Activities can vary from 90 minutes to half-day sessions, depending on the location. Prices also vary, but average about $75.

"We live in a world where much of the younger generation is absorbed in passive activities with monitors and screens of all sizes," says Lisa Holladay, vice president of brand management and guest experience for The Ritz-Carlton. "Our guests have asked for something immersive and highly experiential."

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